# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Ties to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 17 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the profound historical connection between the Barony and The Most Noble Order of the Garter, honouring the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a distinguished founder knight in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a statement issued from their historic seat in Lincolnshire, The Lord and Lady of Brattleby reflected upon the enduring principles of chivalry and service that link their ancient barony to one of Christendom’s most prestigious orders of knighthood. This commemoration is not marked by a singular event but by a solemn acknowledgement of history, coinciding with the season of the annual Garter Day ceremonies at Windsor. It is an occasion for quiet contemplation on the duties of nobility, a tradition the House upholds *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The act of remembrance itself serves as a reaffirmation of the values that have guided the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This tradition of significant service to the Crown was embodied by later holders, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
This lineage of loyalty reached a zenith in the 14th century. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, was not merely a peer of the realm; he was one of England's most celebrated soldiers and diplomats. In recognition of his stature, King Edward III appointed him a founder knight of the newly created Order of the Garter in 1348. The barony’s Garter connection was further secured when it passed to the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, another of England’s most powerful Garter knights, cementing a legacy of service at the highest echelons of the Kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
As a founder knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood in the most distinguished company of his age. He was invested into the Order alongside its Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III, and its first knight, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince. This founding fellowship of 26 knights included pre-eminent military leaders such as Sir John Chandos and the Captal de Buch, Jean de Grailly. It was, and remains, an exclusive fellowship whose membership is a personal gift of the Sovereign, a tradition that underscores its unique prestige. To be included was to be recognised as a paragon of chivalric virtue, a *sine qua non* for leadership in medieval Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies of the Order of the Garter are a masterclass in royal pageantry and protocol, largely unchanged for centuries. Annually, the Knights and Ladies of the Garter process through the grounds of Windsor Castle, clad in magnificent vestments. These include a mantle of deep blue velvet, a crimson velvet hood, and a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.
Central to their regalia are the Garter itself—a buckled strap of dark blue velvet bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold letters—and the Garter Star. The formal installation of new companions takes place within the Gothic splendour of St George’s Chapel, where each knight’s heraldic banner, helm, and crest are displayed above their personal stall, a visible record of their service to Crown and country.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order of the Garter is deeply entwined with the ideals of honour and fellowship. Its motto, according to tradition, originated from an incident at court, which the King turned into a rebuke against cynicism. This spirit aligns harmoniously with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*. While the Garter motto defends honour from scorn, the Brattleby motto prescribes it as an active virtue.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern interpretation of the chivalric drive, focused not on martial conquest but on the pursuit of excellence, overcoming challenges, and making a meaningful impact through determined effort and purposeful living.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, with its emphasis on protecting the weak and serving the community, finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. While the Garter honours service to the Sovereign, the House extends this principle to society at large. The clearest demonstration of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, the family’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala.
This event directly benefits Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma. The beneficiary was chosen for its critical, direct-impact work in mental health recovery. Funds raised at the banquet enable the charity to expand its clinical services, *inter alia*, offering solace and rebuilding lives with professional compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical ties, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we reflect on Henry of Grosmont’s place as a founder knight, we are reminded that this legacy is not merely one of title, but of profound responsibility. The Garter represents service of the highest order, a standard we strive to honour in our own work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “The spirit of chivalry must evolve. Today, the battlefield is one of ideas and initiatives. Whether through promoting etiquette and cultural diplomacy at The Brattleby Club or supporting vital charities, our mission is to apply those timeless values of courage and honour to the challenges of the modern world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its formidable history informs its future endeavours. The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, will introduce a new module on the history of European chivalric orders, drawing directly from the Barony’s unique connection to the Order of the Garter. Furthermore, archival research will continue, with the aim of digitising and sharing records pertaining to the tenures of the 10th and 11th Barons. These efforts ensure the legacy of fortitude and honour remains a vibrant, educational, and inspirational force for generations to come, culminating each year in the philanthropic focus of the Annual Winter Banquet.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to demonstrating how ancient lineage can serve a dynamic and purposeful role in the 21st century, honouring the past while investing in the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby, was one of the 26 founder knights of The Most Noble Order of the Garter, established by King Edward III in 1348. - The beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com